A Japanese handysize bulker was targeted by pirates while transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on Monday.

The incident took place at around 02:34 local time in position 1° 7.6' N, 103°45.27' E at about 1.3nm west-north-west off Helen Mar Reef.

While underway, the crew of the 33,200-dwt Star lily (built 2008) sighted four perpetrators armed with machetes, boarding the vessel from a small craft.